Compromise rail-joint.



B. G. BRAINE.

GOMPROMISB RAIL JOINT. APPLICATION FILED 1ov.so.19oe.

Patented May 4, 1909.

E E E B. G. BRAINE. GOMPROMISE BAIL JOINT. PPLIOATION FILED Nov. 30,1908.

Patented May 09.

3 BEBBTS- 1 '2.

EN .Br

'INV

\ Ill B. G. BRAINB.

comromsn RAIL JOINT.

Patented May 4, 1909.

PPLIOATION FILED NOV. 30, 19

BBBBBBB SHEET 3.

7 Banc/707% WIT/VES 1r E BY 60@ 'e/zzomey UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

BANCROFT G. BRAINE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE RAIL JOINT COMPANY, OF 'NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW .YORK,

coMPRoMIsE "EAIL- JOINT.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BANCROET G. BRATNE, acitizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, rave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Com-- promise Rail-Joints, of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates to the subject of rail joints of the compromise or step type, which are employed to connect rails of different heights and sections so that the tops and inner sides of these dissimilar rails are supported in alinement.

Heretofore, in the formation of joint bars for use in a compromise or step joint, the bars are generally made of steel or malleable iron castings, and of a design and configuration corresponding to that of the rail sections to be united, besides providing for the steppedrelation of the rail supporting base sections by making the base sup- Jorting section for the lighter rail thicker than the other, thereby disposing the upper supporting faces of the separate base sections in dierent elevations, that is, in different horizontal planes. This well known construction, involving the idea of a thick,

heavy rail-supporting base section for light rail ends, and a relatively thinner rail supporting base section for heavy rail ends, necessarily provides a joint bar in which one end is much heavier than the other, with the consequence of there being an uneven distribution of weight and material. It is for the purpose of improving these structural features that the present invention is designed.

To this end the invention has in view an improved compromise or step joint embodying in its organization joint bars of uniform design and dimensions throughout, and in which the weight and thickness of material are uniformly distributed over the entire length of the bar, thereby materially contributing, not only to the lightness of the joint bar and to its facility of manufacture by the ordinary rolling mill processes, but

also serving to more evenly distribute strains imposed thereon by the load.

A further object of the invention is to embody the above features in a rail point of the base supporting type, that is, of the type having rail supporting base sections or base plates underlying the rails.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led November 30, 1908.

Patented May 4, 1909.

Serial No. 465,159.

Also, the invention has in view a construction possessing special utility in its application to joint bars of the continuous type, and preserving all of the well known and desirable functions of that class of bars, while at the same time effectually performing the function of stepping and alining, as well as supporting, dissimilar rails.

lll/lith these and many other objects in view, which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

The essential features of the invention involved in carrying out the objects above indicated, are necessarily susceptible to embodiment in various forms of construction without departing from the scope of the invention, but certain preferred and practical embodiments are exemplified by the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of a compromise rail jointconstructed in accordance with the present invention, and showing the latter embodied in a structure involving the employment of joint bars of the continuous type. Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. l. Figs. le and 5 are sectional views similar to Figs. 2 and 3, but illustrating a different arrangement of the filler blocks to meet a condition where the two rails do not vary so much in weight. Fig. G is a side elevation, partly in section, of a modification of the invention, wherein the rail supporting base plate is a separate part, and has a bolted er equivalent connection with the side angle bars. Figg is a vertical cross sectional view on the line 77 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a similar view on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6.

Like references designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

As above indicated, the invention claimed herein possesses specialutility in its applica-V tion to a compromise rail joint involving the use of side joint bars of the conventional continuous type, and as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, a joint of that type constructed in accordance with the present invention includes in its general organization the dissimilar service rails l and 2 of different height and section, the usual joint bolts 3, and the oppositely arranged side joint bars 4. Each of the side joint bars 4, being of the conventional continuous design, is so patterned and formed that the same is provided with an upright splice member or girder 5 having at its upper edge a thickened bearing head 6 offset at a central point, as at 7, so that the separate portions of said head, respectivelyat opposite sides of said offset, will engage against the under sides of the heads of the dissimilar rails l and 2, as plainly shown in Fig. l of the drawings. At the lower edge of its upright splice member 5, which lits the fishing spaces of the rails, each joint bar a is formed with an outwardly extending foot flange 8 lying above the base flanges 9 of both rails and having integral with the outer edge portion thereof, a pendent flange extension lO carrying an integral inwardly extending horizontal rail supporting base plate l1 underlying the base flanges of both rails; there being' a continuous ange receiving pocket or space l2 provided between the flange 8 and the base plate 1l for the reception of the base flanges of the rails.

A characteristic and distinguishing feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the flange receiving pocket or space l2 of each joint bar t is very large, that to say, the vertical height of such pocket or space is sufficiently great to permit the same to accommodate the base flanges of two rails differing greatly in height and section, or differing greatly in weight as it is more usually termed. Also, this large 'flange receiving pocket or space l2 accommodates therein the base flanges of all of the ordis nary weights of standard rail sections, and admits of the employment of suitable means for firmly checking the rails within the joint bars in their proper service relation. In this connection. it is to he further ohserved that the integral rail supporting base plate ll of each joint bar extends the full length of the latter from one end to the other, and is intended to he of uniformthickness throughout. Also, the said hase plate is arranged in the same longitudinal plane throughout and has no stepped supporting surfaces.

To provide for stepping the dissimilar rails within the opposite joint bars l constructed as described, the present invention contemplates utilizing` suitable means for rigidly checking the base flanges 9 of the rails within the flange 'receiving pockets or spaces l2. lVhile this may he accomplished in various ways. a preferable and practical construction is the one shown in the drawings, viz: that of employing filler blocks or equivalent members. Referring particularly to the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated 1n F lgs. l, 2, and 3 of the drawings, the larger rail l is illustrated as being of such a size that the base flanges 9 thereof take a direct bearing support on the upper sides of the hase plates ll., and in order to rigidly maintain this position of the larger rail, and securely chock the flanges thereof within the flange receiving pockets of the joint bars, longitudinally arranged ller blocks i3 are interposed between the upper inclined faces of the rail flanges 9 and the under inclined faces 14 of the outwardly extending foot [langes 8 of the side joint hars 1i. ln this application of the invention, that is, the one suggested in liigs. l, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the two extremes in the weights of the different rails are illustrated, viz: a larger rail whose hase flanges take a direct bearing support on the upper sides of the hase plates ll as above indicated, and a smaller rail 2 of such a size, that the base flanges 9 thereof have their upper inclined faces take a direct and solid bearing against the under inclined faces lllof the outwardly extending foot flanges S, and to provide for rigidly maintaining this position of the smaller rail, a bottom :filler block 15 is interposed between the bottom of the smaller rail 2 and the upper sides of the hase plate ll of the joint bars. lt will he observed that this bottom filler block l5 is of such dimensions as to provide a solid metallic base support for the smaller rail throughout the entire area thereof within the joint bars, while at the same time firmly chocking the smaller rail in place, though not interfering in the least with the lateral adjustment or take up of the oint bars through the adjustment oit' the joint hars whenever' necessary. This is also true of the longitudinally arranged. filler blocks i3 interposed between the upper sides of the rail flanges 9 of the larger rail,

and the under side of the floot flanges 8 of the angle bar portions of the joint bars, inasmuch as such filler blocks 13, though of a width substantially equaling the width of the rail. flanges and equaling one-half the length of the oint. at the same time admit of the necessary clearance at the outer edges thereof for the adjustment of the joint. bars.

Between the extremes in the weights of the dissimilar rails which may he accommodated within the joint hars and chocked in place through the medium of the filler memhcrs, various weights or sizes of rail sections may be secured within the hars and maintained in their stepped relation. 'lo exemplify this, there is suggested in Figs. l and 5 of the drawings, a construction and arrangement of parts adapting the joint to rails which do not vary so much in weight, as for instance a 90. pound rail and a 100 pound rail. ln this application of the invention, the larger or 100 pound rail jl is illustrated as taking a direct bearing at its bottom on the upper sides of the base plates 11 of the side joint bars, and being chocked in place through the medium of the said upper filler blocks 13 interposed between the upper sides of the rail flanges of said larger rail and the under sides of the outwardly extending foot flanges 8 of the joint bars. However, in this construction, (Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings), the smaller rail 2 does not have its flanges 9 contact with either the foot flanges 8 or the base plates 11, and is chocked in place within the flange receiving pockets or spaces 12, through the employment of a single bottom ller block 16, and a pair of upper filler blocks 17. rl`he said bottom filler block 16 is interposed between the bottom of the smaller rail and the base plates 11, while the said upper filler blocks 17 are interposed between the upper sides of the rail flanges 9 and the under sides of the foot fianges S, all of which is plainly shown in said Fig. 5 of the drawings. ltwill, therefore, be apparent from the figures of the drawings and the construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, that in carrying out the invention, the side joint bars are provided with base plates arranged in. the same longitudinal plane throughout and having no stepped supporting surfaces, and that the supporting and checking of the differential rails in stepped relation with their tops and inner sides registering is accomplished through the employment of filler members arranged either above or below, or both above-and below the rail flanges according to the weights of the two rails and the extent of stepping required according to the difference in the weights thereof.

The principles of construction already described may be embodied in different forms without affecting the invention. ln the forms already described, the chocking filler blocks are illustrated in connection with angle bars having fixed or rigid base plates 11 integral therewith, but as suggested in Figs. G, 7 and 8 of the drawings, a compromise rail joint embodying the invention may be made up with angle bars which are separate from the base plates connected therewith. Referring particularly to this form of the joint, it will be observed that the same essentially comprises, in connection with the dissimilar service rails 1 and 2, the oppositely arranged side joint bars 4a which are of plain angle bar format-ion, and each of which is provided with an upright splice member or girder 5a fitting the fishing spaces of the rails, and having at its upper edge a thickened bearing head 6a offset at a central point` as at 7, so that the separate portions of said bearing head, respectively at the opposite sides of said offset, will engage against the under sides of the heads of the rails, as plainly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The angle bar constituting each of the side joint bars Zta, is constructed at the lower edge of its upright splice member 5a with an outwardly extending inclined foot flange 8EL terminating in an outwardly extending horizont-al bolt flange 1S which receives a series of adjustable fastening bolts 19 which serve to connect the said bolt iiange with the edge portion of the rail supporting base plate 11a. ln the construction illustrated, the base plate 11a is shown as being a single full width base plate, that is, one which extends transversely beneath the rail bottoms and projects beyond the edges of the rail tianges, so that the opposite side edge portions of the base plate may be coupled to the bolt flanges 1S of the opposite angle bars through the medium of the fastening bolts above described. This coinpletes a structure in which the side joint bars have associated therewith a separate bolt adjusted base plate, but at the same time preserving the structural idea involved inthe rigid base plate construction shown in F 'l to 5 inclusive, which idea embraces the feature of providing between the base plate and the outwardly extending foot fiange 8a of the angle bar, a flange receiving pocket or space 12 of sufficient height to accommodate the base fianges of the ordinary weights of standard rail sections and permitting of the latter being checked in stepped relation through the medium of filler members arranged ab ve or below, or both above and below, the rail flanges, according to the difference in weights of the separate rail sections.

ln the particular embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. G, 'T and S of the drawings, the larger rail section is illustrated as taking a direct bearing at its bottom on the upper side o-f the base plate- 11,a and having upper checking filler members 20 interposed between the upper sides of the rail fianges, and the under sides of the outwardly extending foot flanges 8a of the joint bars. ln this same construction, the smaller rail section is illustrated as having its base flanges taking a direct bearing against the under sides of the outwardly extending foot flanges 8a and being supported in this position through the medium of a single bottom ller block 21 interposed between the bottom of the said smaller rail and the upper side of the base plate 11a. In fact, any arrangement of filler members that may be used in connection with the integral construction of joint bars shown in Figs. 1

to el inclusive, may likewise be employed in the separate base plate construction just described.

While the principal applications of the invention have been set forth herein, it will be understood that other modifications may be readily resorted to, and in fact changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction employed, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages ofl the invention.

l claim:

l. ln a compromise rail joint, the rails, side angle bars carrying a base plate having a snjviporting surface in the same longitudinal plane throughout, and ller members for checking the fianges of the separate rails in stepped relation between the base plate and the foot flanges of the angle bars.

2. ln a compromise rail joint, the rails, side angle bars carrying a base plate having a supjiorting surface in the same longitudinal plane throughout, and filler members interposed between the rail flanges and said angle bars and base plate, for chocking the rails in stepped relation.

3. ln a compromise rail joint, the rails, side angle bars, each of which angle bars engages beneath the rail heads and is provided with a. rail supporting base in the saine longitudinal plane throughout, and an enlarged flange receiving pocket accommodating the flanges of both rails, and. separate means for holding` the rail ianges in stepped relation in said pockets.

il. in a compromise rail joint, the rails, side angle bars, each of which angle bars fits the fishing spaces of the rails and is provided with an integral inwardly extending base plate and a vertically enlarged flange receiving pocket accommodating the fianges of ioth rails, and means for holding the rail bottoms in stepped relation.

5. in a compromise rail joint, the rails, side angle bars, each of which angle bars fits the fishing spaces of the rails and is provided with an integral inwardly extending base plate and a vertically enlarged flange receiving pocket accommodating the fianges of both rails, and separate means for holding the rail bottoms 1n stepped relation.

6. In a compromise rail joint, the rails,

side angle bars, each of which angle bars fits the fishing` spaces of the rails and is provided with an integral inwardly extending base plate and a vertically enlarged flange receiving pocket acconnnodating the fianges of both rails, and filler members arranged to hold-the rail bottoms in stepped relation.

7. ln a compromise ail joint, the "ails, side angle bars fitting the fishing spaces of the rails, and each of which angle bars is provided with an integral inwardly extending base plate, and a vertically enlarged flange receiving pocket accommodating the flanges of' both rails, and filler members interposed between the flanges of both rails and the base plates, and the foot flanges of the angle bars for choclring the fianges of the separate rails in stepped relation in said pockets.

8. In a compromise rail joint, the rails, side angle bars fittingl the fishing spaces of the rails, each of which angle bars is provided with an integral inwardly extending horizontal base plate and with a vertically enlarged flange receiving pocket or space lying` in the saine longitudinal plane throughout and accommodating the fianges of both rails, filler blocks for chocking the flanges of the separate rails in stepped relation in said pockets, and the joint bolts.

ln testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of' two witnesses.

BANCROFT G. BRAINE.

liitnesses z Jn. WoLnAUr'rnn, Umani S. OGILvY. 

